Alex de Minaur’s preparations for the US Open encountered a significant obstacle as the world No. 8 was unexpectedly defeated in the second round of the Cincinnati Open by world No. 73 Reilly Opelka. The towering American, standing at 211 cm, secured a straight-sets victory, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, in a match that lasted one hour and 41 minutes.
Despite de Minaur’s previous dominance over Opelka, having won all five of their prior encounters, the Australian was unable to counter the American’s powerful game. Opelka delivered 14 aces and 38 winners, while saving all seven break points he faced. This performance marked a significant turnaround for Opelka, who noted, “I didn’t serve as well as I’d have liked to, but everything else was working. I think I returned really well too.”
De Minaur’s Unexpected Setback
The loss was particularly surprising given de Minaur’s strong form on hard courts this season, with a tour-best 24 wins and a recent title in Washington. His momentum seemed promising after reaching the quarter-finals at the Canadian Open, where he was defeated by eventual champion Ben Shelton. However, the early exit in Cincinnati could affect his seeding at the upcoming US Open.
De Minaur’s early departure from Cincinnati might offer him some much-needed rest before the US Open, yet it also poses a risk to his ranking. A slip could mean facing top contenders like Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz earlier than desired at Flushing Meadows.
Mixed Fortunes for Australian Players
While de Minaur faced disappointment, other Australian players had varying degrees of success. Alexei Popyrin, seeded 21st, advanced after defeating Spaniard Martin Landaluce 7-6 (7-3), 6-3. Popyrin, who also received a first-round bye, will face ninth seed Andrey Rublev next.
Adam Walton, ranked world No. 85, achieved a remarkable victory against former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev. Walton’s win, 6-7 (7-0), 6-4, 6-1, was notable for his ability to capitalize on crucial moments, converting four of six break points while limiting his own errors.
Challenges for Australian Women
In contrast, it was a challenging day for Australia’s female players. Daria Kasatkina, seeded 15th, was defeated by Italian Lucia Bronzetti in a match full of momentum shifts, ending 6-3, 1-6, 6-4. Kimberly Birrell and Ajla Tomljanovic also faced defeats against higher-seeded opponents.
However, teenager Maya Joint provided a glimmer of hope by advancing to the Round of 32 after upsetting Brazilian 18th seed Beatriz Haddid Maia. Joint’s next challenge will be against 12th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Implications for the US Open
The outcomes at the Cincinnati Open have set the stage for intriguing dynamics at the US Open. De Minaur’s unexpected loss, coupled with the successes of other Australian players, highlights the unpredictability of the sport. As players prepare for Flushing Meadows, the focus will be on maintaining form and managing the physical demands of the tour.
Looking ahead, de Minaur will need to regroup and strategize to reclaim his momentum. Meanwhile, Opelka’s victory could serve as a confidence booster, potentially making him a formidable contender at the US Open.
